What is RPS Chess?

RPS Chess is a chess variant in which every piece is also a rock, paper or scissors. It uses a standard board and standard piece movement, but captures are decided by type rather than position: a piece can only take an enemy it beats. That one change turns the game from a contest of material into a contest of matchups, and it is why the board looks familiar but plays nothing like ordinary chess.

How it differs from chess

• Every piece has a type — rock, paper or scissors (and lizard and Spock in the Extended set).
• Captures follow a matchup table, not the board: moving onto an enemy piece does not take it unless your type beats theirs.
• There is no check and no checkmate. You win by capturing the king or wiping out the other side.
• Terrain flips matchups — on a mountain square a rock can beat paper.

Ways to play

• RPS Chess — the main turn-based game with a hidden king.
• RPS.IO — a live arena for 2 to 64 players where pieces rank up from pawn to king.
• Tag Team — two-versus-two chess on one board.
• RPS Shoot — chess movement with no type matchups at all.
• Puzzles — daily, rush, battle, survival and rated tactical modes.

Guides

• How to Play RPS Chess
• RPS Chess strategy guide
• Opening principles
• 10 common beginner mistakes
• Puzzle tactics guide
• Endgame guide
• RPS.IO arena guide
• What's new
• RPS.IO arena rules
• About RPS Chess
• Contact

RPS Chess is free to play and intended for players aged 13 and over.